My Atlas Mountain Adventure


For these of you in search of a brand new expertise look no additional than a trekking vacation to Morocco. Morocco holidays normally include the usual weekend break in Marrakech or every week within the seaside resort of Essaouira however there may be in reality a complete world saved hidden away within the Atlas Mountains simply an hour north of Marrakech. For the rookie trekker there are some nice routes by the Atlas that go no larger than 2,021 metres which implies you will not threat altitude illness however you will have to be match and properly. Or in case you are a keener trekker with expertise you possibly can summit the superior Mt Toubkal which reaches 4,167 metres.

I’ve simply come again from a trekking vacation in Morocco which began with a day in Fes to Marrakech 3 days tour. Right here the hustle and bustle of the market might have been overwhelming, however the metropolis is sort of protected and the spice smells are fantastic. In the principle sq. of Djemaa-el-Fna, there was a very celebration environment with musicians, dancers and snake charmers performing for the general public. It was a implausible introduction to Moroccan metropolis life and I even warmed to the fixed shouting, smells and jostling after some time. After a day and evening within the metropolis, the small group I used to be travelling with headed out on trek.

I had imagined the trekking route can be dry and dusty however the surroundings we encountered was really fairly assorted, from vivid inexperienced grass and mountain streams to walnut groves and snow capped peaks towering above us. We met many mountain goats, noticed numerous wildflowers and extra species of birds and butterflies than I might identify. The precise route we took to was pretty low altitude and at a calming tempo from a spot referred to as Ait Zitoun to Tizi n’Fourna at simply over 2000 metres. The longest day was about 6 hours strolling which was very bearable and we noticed some magnificent sights. We handed by a number of small Berber villages within the Amzmiz Valley and encountered many a sheep and goat. A typical shout of ‘Mule!’ was heard all through as trains of mules crossed our paths on the slender route.

The trekking itself is pretty straightforward and not more than strolling throughout stony floor. At a few of the highest factors you could possibly even make out the Saharan sands of the desert. Native kids and mules grew to become a standard sight and at one level I immediately realized I used to be a complete world away from house. Half our group had by no means a lot as been strolling within the Lake District however as we’re all match, gymnasium fanatics we did wonderful. And we even coped with the fundamental lodging – only a mattress in a neighborhood Berber home, with native meals and little or no or no scorching water.

I am unable to suggest a Morocco vacation sufficient or a trekking vacation for that matter. For those who nonetheless need the seaside resort on the finish of your strolling journey too then it’s only a short while to Essaouira. Right here you possibly can unwind and benefit from the recent sea air earlier than taking within the previous port city. Good after a number of days trekking the Atlas.


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